Colonial Beach Council approves tax increase-shorts school

Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 4:00 pm

With the looming threat of a possible 23-cent real estate increase, the Town Center was overflowing with citizens on Wednesday, May 21 for the public hearings. Not only was the real estate tax increase up for discussion, but also boat taxes, water connection fees, sewer quarterly fees, and the overall budget.

Town Council advertised the boat taxes as a possible $1.39 per $100 in value, water connection fee to go up $1,000 and the quarterly sewer fees to go up by $25 along with the 23-cent per $100 real estate increase.

Real estate taxes were set for an increase of 4-cents which brings the total to 62-cent per $100 value. In other words, an increase of $40 dollars per $100,000 of home value.

Boat taxes were kept at the 1-cent per $100 amount. The water connection fee charge was dropped entirely. Sewer rates will be going up by $25 per quarter.

At the end of the evening, the crowd was much smaller, and the council members were becoming weary, as reflected when council member Wanda Goforth said ”Raise your hand or we’re never going to go home.” The town citizens who remained vocally rebuffed that remark, saying things such as, “You’re worried about that?” and “Isn’t the school more important?”